After months in testing, Verizon has finally approved the Android 4.0.4 update (build IMM76K) for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The news comes from Verizon’s support page that details the benefits of the software upgrade. We haven’t received the official word from Verizon that the update has begun pushing out, but this is a sign that it should start going out in batches any day now.

For those of you that are curious, this is the exact same build that was leaked in early May and appeared on Google’s servers again just last week. If you already flashed that version, you have the same version that is going out to normal customers soon.

Verizon Wireless and Samsung encourage users to download this update. Fixes that we know of include:

Email, Messaging & Data

Email messages will display properly when the text size is set to large.

When sending a multimedia message to an Outlook email address, the file extension will send, allowing the recipient to successfully open an image.

Successfully deleted emails on the device will be deleted from the desktop as well.

Successfully access Voicemail and other automated systems without error.

I’m glad that Verizon finally got this update approved, but Galaxy Nexus owners should expect more of the same with future updates. Google will announce their Android 4.1 upgrade next month and it will hit the GSM Galaxy Nexus shortly, and then Verizon subscribers with the CDMA/LTE Galaxy Nexus will be left waiting for months before Verizon approves it.

Give us a shout out if you happen to receive the latest update on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Did it resolve the issues you were experiencing with the device?

Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He resides in Dallas and carries the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One as his daily devices. Ask him a question on Twitter or Google+ and he is likely to respond. | Ethics statement

Most Tweeted This Week

redraider133

Finally, now those who did not want to root will be able to enjoy this. Hopefully it makes your devices better.

Dave

You don’t need root to update. There were two other alternatives. One was just unlock the bootloader (this would wipe your phone though) and apply a temporary recovery, then install the update. No root, just unlocked bootloader. The other one is you can apply it without unlocking the bootloader. Someone provided instructions for that in a comment thread on Droid Life.

http://whysoangrybirds.com mikeyDroid

I believe he’s saying “people who don’t want to fuck with their phones in general”.. :)

redraider133

Yeah that is what I was saying =)

oddball

Congratulations Verizon Nexus users. Hope this fixes your issues and hope this helps you enjoy your phone a little more

professandobey

Correct me if I’m missing something here, but Verizon’s list of fixes doesn’t mention any of the bugs that people have been reporting. For example, random reboots, screen rotation, touchscreen, etc. For those of you running the leak, are these fixed and they just aren’t talking about them?

Richard

I loaded the update about 6 hours ago. Seems to have fixed the auto-rotate issue. At least to me it seems to be working better. I never had an issue with random reboots, so can’t address that. I will say my signal seems to be substantially better. And 3g to 4g handoffs are quicker.

http://whysoangrybirds.com mikeyDroid

I was about to make a comment saying I never experienced any of these fixed issues. Haha, the changelog for 4.0.4 on XDA and other forums has a much larger list of bug fixes that are more appropriate IMO.

spazby

i will believe it when i see it, but happy for this…

TheTruthSquad

Verizon will probably never send 4.1. How long has it been since they updated this phone, since October? It is difficult to believe that no manager at Verizon has the balls to get this company moving. This reminds me of a government agency that is afraid to make any move because someone may get mad. Instead of a few getting mad at them, everyone is mad at them. I have a Bionic and I hate to think how long they are going to delay ICS for that. They announced it in January and shipped it in September. Way to go, Verizon!

professandobey

While I agree with your general thoughts on Verizon, let it be known they released the Gnex in mid December (which is also a delay from Verizon).

moew

December 15th.

I called at the 60 day mark and complained. IIRC I got two credits that totaled near $700.

Then at 90 days, I called again, and they swapped me out to a razr maxx, almost no questions asked at the time.

Haven’t looked back since.

Let’s hope the update finally fixes a lot of the issues that people have been experiencing in large numbers!

moew

weird, didn’t match my email addy to the name, this was posted by me:

December 15th.

I called at the 60 day mark and complained. IIRC I got two credits that totaled near $700.

Then at 90 days, I called again, and they swapped me out to a razr maxx, almost no questions asked at the time.

Haven’t looked back since.

Let’s hope the update finally fixes a lot of the issues that people have been experiencing in large numbers!

Joe

What phone

CJ

Verizon doesn’t send the updates, Google does. Hence the link to the update on Googles servers. Verizon has to approve the radio firmware! Google can actually make an end run around Verizon with future updates by simply reusing the already approved radio firmware.

MMcCraryNJ

“I’m glad that Verizon finally got this update approved, but Galaxy Nexus owners should expect more of the same with future updates. Google will announce their Android 4.1 upgrade next month and it will hit the GSM Galaxy Nexus shortly, and then Verizon subscribers with the CDMA/LTE Galaxy Nexus will be left waiting for months before Verizon approves it.”

I don’t think anyone can state this as gospel just yet. Sure the updates won’t be pushed at the same time as the GSM unlocked models, but I have to say that my suspicion for the delay is that there was something up with the way ICS operates with LTE. Think about it if you are Verizon, you are getting a ton of complaints that the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t handle LTE connections very well….are you going to push ICS out to any of your other devices? We kind of already know that the update is ready for the RAZR models too, and might also be ready for the ReZound.

The fact is, NO device on Verizon has had ICS pushed to it yet, despite having devices that have seen several official ICS leaks. Not even the Verizon Xoom, which is also a Google Experience device, has had ICS pushed to it, despite it being ready in January. If you take a look at all of the Honeycomb incremental updates to the Xoom in the past, the Verizon version was always only 2-3 weeks behind the WiFi Xoom. ICS comes out, and despite not having to wait for Motorola to make the update or Verizon to customize it, it’s still about 6 months behind.

The whole thing just screams “Verizon isn’t happy with ICS for some reason”. If this is true and updates start rolling out, maybe it will go back to being the way it was with the Xoom.

Jdroids

That’s interesting point. I also thought there is something in ICS that doesn’t play well with CDMA/LTE network. But verizon is soon getting new phones with ICS and Razr seems close to ICS update real soon. So we will see how others will do with ICS on verizon.

eallan

It’s probably not LTE, as the AT&T LTE devices are working just fine, but it may have something to do with CDMA/LTE

Me

The big news here is that it takes Verizon nearly TWO MONTHS to test a phone build. Holy crap, V.

LukeT32

It would be an acceptable time table if they phone was actually fixed, but all the bugs my Gnex has and it was supposedly tested before release. :)

Zach

@MMcCraryNJ – if it were truly an LTE issue, Sprint wouldn’t have been able to push a 4.0.4 update out weeks after they released the phone (also note that this is the same build that was released to some in March)…This is a fundamental problem with the powers that be within Verizon, not with the phone. They held it up for months past the expected release date when it initially came out just like they’re doing now. In all reality, 4.0.2 should never have been publicly released – from what I’ve read, many of the issues have been fixed for those that have already installed this build.

Why wouldn’t Verizon approve it just like Sprint? There really is no good reason for them to constantly give unrealistic release dates and constantly fall short. This is a problem with Verizon that we should not be giving them ‘the benefit of the doubt’ on. They have received thousands of calls on this issue alone and there are thousands of people posting about the issue online.

This is my first Android phone (coming from numerous previous iPhones) and I can’t say I’m pleased. The benefits that this phone has over the iPhone are somewhat outweighed by all of the problems.

clocinnorcal

I would like to see a list of your pros vs. cons.

Zach

Just for a quick response – the iPhone is much more polished – it basically acts similarly to an old flip phone…it does exactly what you tell it to do without lag, without freezing, etc.

The galaxy nexus has a lot more capabilities out of the box (whereas with the iPhone, you’d have to unlock the phone)

So basically, the iPhone is more polished (and the battery lasts significantly longer which certainly doesn’t speak well for the galaxy nexus since the iPhone’s battery isn’t particularly great) – while the Galaxy Nexus has more features and more capability. The camera still doesn’t compare despite what Samsung says.

Another reason for picking up the Galaxy Nexus is the screen size. I initially bought the iPhone 4s on the day it came out and ended up returning it due to being so underwhelmed by the upgrades from the iPhone 4 or even 3gs (basically the main things are SIRI and the better camera) and after owning it and going back to the Verizon store to look at some Android phones (even the bionic at that point) made me realize how tiny the 3.5″ screen really is.

Hopefully this update will fix some of my horrible battery life issues, fix some radio issues and connectivity speed (when wifi or 3g/4g bars all remain grey and the phone doesn’t let you browse or make a call). These fixes along with the random reboots/power button not always working being fixed would make this a much better phone.

clocinnorcal

Well I hate to see anyone have a bad experience especially with a Nexus device. I like the fact you tried both systems before passing judgement. I stopped with iPhone @ the 3G model. So far I have had a great experience with Android. I am a bit of a power user, so root is something I cant live without on any of my current phones.
I agree with you, 3.5 inch screen is just to small now, and Samsung could stand to use better camera’s (SGS3 is supposed to step it up).

clocinnorcal

Also, I think one of the reasons iPhone batteries are better performing in your case is the lack of LTE chip. I have yet to see a Verizon LTE phone that had decent battery life without buying the larger battery option.

http://www.baldypal.com Adam Jones

Agreed to your battery comment below. if you turn of the LTE toggle in options, you get more battery life. that’s is of course you live in a 3G area still, like myself. come on 4G (July 19 cant get here soon enough)

fletchtb

I am excited! Let the repetitive checking for system updates begin…again!

Matt F

I FIND IT HYSTERICAL THAT THE DAY MY GSM NEXUS GETS DELIVERED , VERIZON FINALLY DECIDED TO UPDATE To 4.0.4 … THE REASON I SWITCHED WAS BECAUSE I COULDNT DEAL WITH THE BUGS ANY LONGER

YellowDucati

“SOON” You keep on saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means..

Jedediah Sweetser

Throw back to a very great movie I’m fond of. The Princess Bride. Thanks for that!

E-man

About time. Wonder how long we’ll have to wait for 4.1? I’ll probably be leaving Verizon once they get rid of my grandfathered unlimited data.

bolanrox

check back this time next year?

Zach

Well no update as of yet, but last night, Verizon finally pushed their built in data manager widget (something that most other android phones already come with…it’s the one that actually pulls in your information from your account unlike a lot of other data managers).

I’m hoping this is the start…I keep trying to check for updates, but that’s all that has come so far.

Major Pita

Good news for VZW Nexus users. Inexusably dismal performance from vzw in terms of timetable. Verizon should be rejected as a Google/Nexus partner for this. and I think Google is dead-on in putting the GSM Nexus up on Google Play. The next logical step is to make the Nexus a Google-direct ONLY device(s) and remove the Nexus brand from the stink of carrier influence. LTE is not worth it if it means having to allow carriers to hijack the Nexus experience.

BrandonJD

I’m glad I have an unlocked GSM nexus, Because buying a nexus and STILL be subject to carrier shenanigans would make me furious.

Slith

About f’n time.

netkil

Nothing in Atlanta yet…

bolanrox

what are the odds of them doing it over a weekend? If not today I am guessing Monday or Tuesday?

F1apjacks

I got the OTA notification tonight, about an hour ago. Haven’t installed yet, but will in the morning.

F1apjacks

I’m in Seattle

Ari32

I received mine as well. Atlanta area. Seems to be exactly as described, which is definitely good. Took Verizon long enough…

jdolbear

Just got the ota about a hour ago here in north dakota

Victor Sueiro

I JUST GOT IT WOOOO THANKS VERIZON!!

bolanrox

if you are sick of waiting try this trick to get it right now. It might take 2 or three tries but i got it to work on the second try.

Go to settings>Apps>All
Tap Google Services Framework
Tap on Clear Data and then Force Stop
Go to About Settings>About Phone>Check for Updates

Carey Lynch

Ok, I finally got 4.0.4… Whoopee, My phone still resets it’s self without warning. I still get muted after I talk over 20 minutes, and I’m still not getting support from Verizon. I’ve had it with Samsung and Verizon… Time to break loose and move on. Dang it, I like the Nexus, but The Verizon version has too many bugs.